European Federation for Non-Destructive TestingTranslation site

European Federation for Non-Destructive Testing（EFNDT）Founded May 1998, at the 7th European Conference on Non-Destructive Testing (ECNDT) in Copenhagen.Comprises national NDT societies from European countries.

Overview

• Full Name: European Federation for Non-Destructive Testing
• Common Abbreviation: EFNDT
• Type: Non-profit association (registered in Brussels)
• Founded: May 1998, at the 7th European Conference on Non-Destructive Testing (ECNDT) in Copenhagen.
• Members: Comprises national NDT societies from European countries. As of 2018, it had 27 member societies from EU and EFTA countries. Associate membership is open to relevant organizations worldwide.

Mission & Objectives

EFNDT’s mission is to unite national NDT societies to create a stronger, more valuable voice for industry, professionals, users, and the public across Europe.

Its key objectives are to:

• Promote the development, application, and harmonization of NDT.
• Facilitate the mutual recognition of NDT certificates and qualifications across Europe and internationally.
• Support high-quality NDT infrastructure (standards, training, certification) to enhance safety and reliability.
• Represent European NDT in global forums like the International Committee for Non-Destructive Testing (ICNDT).

Organizational Structure

Governing Body: The General Assembly of member societies.

Executive Board: Elected officers, including a President and Vice-President, supported by a Board of Directors.

• President (as of 2023): Fermin Gomez
• Vice-President: Ezio Tuberosa

Technical Committees: Expert groups that develop policy and guidance on key topics like personnel certification and standardization.

Key Activities & Initiatives

1. Personnel Certification & the ECP ; EFNDT oversees the European Certification Process (ECP), a harmonized system for personnel certification based on EN ISO 9712 (formerly EN473). This ensures that certified NDT professionals meet consistent technical requirements across Europe.
2. Multilateral Recognition Agreements (MRA) : EFNDT manages the EFNDT MRA, a multilateral agreement for the mutual recognition of NDT personnel certifications between signatory national societies. This allows certified professionals to work across borders with a single qualification.
3. Standards & Quality Infrastructure : The federation works to align national practices with European (CEN) and international (ISO) standards. It also promotes best practices in accreditation and laboratory certification (e.g., EN 45000 series).
4. European Conference on NDT (ECNDT) : EFNDT is the host and technical coordinator for the ECNDT, Europe’s flagship NDT conference held every four years. The 14th edition (ECNDT 2026) will take place in Verona, Italy.
5. Representation & Collaboration : EFNDT represents European NDT in discussions with the European Commission and international bodies. It collaborates with ICNDT and other regional federations on global NDT harmonization.